Hair cutter



F. FEWINS Jan. 25, 1927.

HAIR CUTTER Filed Jan. 2. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet- 1 1,615,328 Jall- 25 1927' F. FEWINS HAIR CUTTER Filed Jan. 2, l925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 2 Jan. 25, 1927. E FEWINS ,615,3 8

HAIR CUTTER Filed Jan. 2. 1925 s sheets-Sheet s A7TOR/VEY F. FEWINS Jan. 25, 1927.

HAIR CUTTER 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 2, 1925 F. FEWINS HAIR CUTTER Jan. 25, 1927.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 2. 1925 y Inve/ifor. .Ea/7M El# t' .Afro/wey.

Patented Jan. 25, 1927.

UNITED STATES v FRANK rmivnnsi,` or Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

j anniA ctrcrcrnn.v

Application led January 2, 1925. Serial Re. 43.

This invention'particularly pertains to a mechanism -for cutting hair 1n barbering operations.

An object of this invention isl to provide l5 a power driven hair cutting machine which is adapted to be used by barbers and the like in lieu of the manually operated shears and comb now generally employed, which is adapted to be so operated and controlled as to accomplish substantially all the hair cutting operations nowr done by hand, and

whereby cutting and trimming of hair may be effected with greater speed and accuracy than with the present hair cutting implel5 ments.

Another object is to provide a hair cutting mechanism which embodies a comb and a power actuated cutter adapted'to be disposed in various positions in relation to each other, and including simple and effective means whereby the relative positioning of the comb and cutter may be readily accomplished at the will of the operator during the operation of the cutter. l

The mode of carrying out the foregoing objects, as well as such objects, features and advantages of the invention as may sub-- sequently appear, is hereinafter described, and is illustrated by Way of example in the accompanying drawings in which the several .views depict constructions and arrangements of elements and parts whereby the invention may be carried into effect.

Referring to the drawings the several views are as follows Figures 1, 2, 3, 4. and 5 are respectively4 views in plan, side elevation, inverted plan, longitudinal section and perspective, showing a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a detail in perspective of the cutter employed in the device shown in Figures 1 to inclusive, and illustrating the cutter operating and adjusting mechanism;

Figure 7 is a detail in perspective illus-` operated` control mechanism whereby the comb may be disposed in various positions in relation to the cutter;

Figure 10 is a detail in perspective `of a spring and aociated parts for normally maintaining the comb yin a retracted position; f

Figures 11 to 17 inclusive, illustrate relative positions to the comband cutter attained -by manipulation of the manual controlv mechanism shown in Figure 9;

Figure 18 is a perspective view showing a modified form ofthe invention;

Figure 19 ris a' view in section and elevation as seen on'the line 19-19 of Figure 18; 70

Figure 20 is a View similar to Figure 19 showing the parts in a different position;

Figure 21 is a detail in horizontal section and plan as seen on the line 21--21of Figure 18;

Fi ure 22 is a detail in section as seen on the 11ne 22-22 of Figure 19.

Figures 23 and 24 are views in perspective illustrating further embodiments of the invention.

Referring to the drawings more specifically, A indicates a handle on which is carried a power driven hair cutter B and an adjustable comb C. In thel form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 20 inclu- 85 sive, the cutter is shown as comprising a pair of shea-r blades 26 and 27 pivotalzly connected together at 28 to have oscillatory movement in relation to each other; the blade 26 being preferably stationary or fixed 90 with respect to the handle, and the blade 27 bein i mounted to swing or oscillate outwar y in relation to the fixed blade 26.

In the preferred construction the shear blades and handle are arranged to extend 95 substantially at right angles lto each otherA with the blades disposed transversely of the handle at one end thereof and with the handle projecting at an incline from the plane of travel of the movable shear blade7 100 and the fixed blade is arranged above the movable blade being demountably attached by screws 29 to spaced llugs 30 projecting from the forward edge of a plate 31 carried and extending from one end of the han- 105 The power actuated transmission mechanism for operating the shears in the referred construction embodies a rotary sha 32 extending longitudinally through and jouru ahhh in hhh hindh, whhh hhhh mi .hh

socket connection 35 to a connecting rod 36 the outer end of which is at-tached by a ball and socket joint 37 to a slide link 38 connecting with the movable shear blade 27. The link isprovided with a knobbed projection 39 on its underside and near the end thereof `to which the connectinr rod is attached, and

which projection extenls through an arcuate slot 40 formed in a normally stationary arm 41 carried on the handle plate 31. The link 38 extends at an angle to the connecting rod 36 and to the shear vblade 27 and on rotation of the crank is caused to be reciprocated both laterally and longitudinally; lateral movement being imparted to the link by the` action of the crank and connecting rod and lon itudnal movement being effected by the action of the slotted arm 41 so as to impart an oscillatory motor to the shear blade 27. In order to cause the link to move lengthwise on being reciprocated laterally, the arcuate slot 40 1s disposed so that the side margins thereof will extend generally in inclined relation to the direction of length `of the link and form inclined planes along which the projection 39 rides under the action of the crank and connecting rod. The ball and socket connections between` the vconnecting rod and the crank and link serve to permit the lateral and vertical swinging movement of the connecting rod in relation to the crank and link during the driving operation of the cutter. The arm 41 is mounted to swing on a pivot pin 42 carried by the plate 31 and is adapted to be disposed in various positions so as to change the relative inclination of the slot 40 whereby the length of stroke of the shear blade may be varied as occasion may require. This positioning of the slotted arm 41 may be accomplished in any desired manner being here shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, as effected by means of a lever 43 attached to and extending upwardly from a rock shaft 44 extending transversely beneath the handle A and journalled in a suitable bearing on the lat-ter; the rock shaft 44 carrying a crank 45 attached t-o a connecting rod 46 leading to and pivotally connecting with the slotted arm 41 adjacent the pivotal mounting 42 of the latter as indicated at 47. The lever 43 extends upwardly alongside thc handle A and has a knob 48 on its upper end so positioned that it may be engaged by the thumb of the operator to effect shifting of the lever 43 into various positions. The

lever 43 is adapted to spring into engage mani' with 211V nnn nF n ecn-ina n'F nnt-nlnnf. A0

0h Il ttllii piti carried on the sifie oi the handleA in such manner as to retain the lever 43 in various positions; the notches 49 being formed with inclined side .walls so thet the lever 43 ma readily ride from one notch to another. y this arrangement the slotted arm 41 may be set and normally retained in `various positions.

In the modified form of the adjustment of the slotted arm shown in Figure 7, the rock shaft 44is fitted with a lever 51 which extends substantially longitudinally of the handle A in such position that it may be moved by one -of the lingers of the operator `to actuate the rock shaft 44 trsdispose the slotted arm 41 in the desired position; a spring 52 being provided to maintain the slotted arm in a normal position and adapted to yieldably oppose movement of the arm under the action of the lever 51 and also serving to restore the arm to normal. By this arrangement the variations in the length of the stroke of the shear is controlled by variable manual pressure applied to the lever 51.

'It is desirable that the shear blades 26 and 27 be maintained in contact under tension and for this purpose a bowed plate spring 53 is mounted on the plate 31 and attached to the latter by screws 29; this plate springr bearing on the portion of the shear blade 27 projecting to the side of the pivot 28 opposite the cutting edge of the shear as particularly shown in Figures 1 to 5, thereby exerting such yieldable pressure on the inner end portion of the shear blade 27 as to cause the cutting end portion thereof to bear upwardly against the underside ofthe fixed shear blade 26. This action may also be accomplished bv the construction shown in Figure 8 in which a set screw 54 threaded in the fixed shear blade is arranged to bear on the movable shear blade to one side of the pivot 28 so as to cause the outer cutting portion of the blade 27 to bear upwardly against the fixed blade. It will be understood that the pivotal connection between the shear blades is sutliciently loose to permit the slight vertical rocking of the shear blade 27 necessary to cause the blade 27 to bear under ten` In the preferred form of the invention the comb is mounted as particularly shown in Figure 9, being carried on a back plate 55 fitted with a pair of spaced lugs 56 and 5T llO - of a telescopic and prising stems wh1ch are pivotally attachupwardly extendin tubular sleeves 58 and 59 carried on .a roc'er yoke 60 which yokein turn is pivotally supported on the under-l side of the handle plate 341. The yoke 60 is formed with a shank. 61 which extends upwardly y beneath the ,underside of' the handle j A and is adapted vto be engaged by one of the fingers of the operator and manipulated to e ect rocking movement of the yoke whereby the comb V.may be moved up and down in relation to the cutter; a spring 62 bearing between the handle and the shank yieldably opposing movement of the latter and acting to normally maintain the yoke in such -position as to dispose the comb close to the underside of the cutter, as shown in Figures 4 and 11 and serving to yieldably oppose rocking movement of the yoke and acting to restore the comb to its normal u permost position on release of the shank. v he tubular sleeves 58 and 59 telescopically engage de ending stems 63 and 64 carried on a rock s aft 65 journalled in` a air of standards 66 and 67 supported on the liandle plate 31; the rock shaft 65 being fitted with an upwardly extending operating lever 68 carrying a finger iece 69 positioned convenient to the reach ofthe thumb of 'the operator whereby the rock shaft may be actuated and thereby impart a horizontal reciprocal movement to the comb. In order to permit the comb to move back and forth on operation of the rock shaft 65 the sleeves 58 and 59 are connected to the yoke '60 by means ivotal connection comed to the sleeves and slidably extend into horizontal guideways 71 formed in the yoke 60 which allows the lower end portions of the comb carrying sleeves to move outwardly7 and inwardly in relation to the yoke and whereby on operation of the lever 68 the comb may be moved to a forward position as shown in Figure 14. The comb is designed to be normally maintained in the retracted position shown in Figure 11. and for this purpose springs 72 are wound on the rock sha-ft 65 and have their terminals engaging the standards 66 and 67 and the stems 63 and-64 as shown in Figure 10 and acting to exert a backward pressure on the latter and yieldably oppose outward movement of the comb, and also serves to restore the comb to its normal retracted position on release of the lever 68. It will now be seen that by manipulating both the shank 61 and the lever 68 the comb may be caused to move downwardly and forwardly in relation to the cutter to the position shown in Figure 15.

Means are also provided for tilting the comb relatively to the cutter while the comb is in eitherl its normal retracted osition (as shown in Figure 13) or in its a vanced position (as shown in Figure 16), or in its lowered and advanced position (as shown 80 is fixed on the pus in Fi re 17). This means is here shown as em dying a push rod 73 mounted to slide longitu inal y downwardly from above the rock shaft-an having its lower end connected by a pivot pm 75 to a lug 76 projecting from the rear edge of the comb sup orted plate 55. .The upper end portion' -the push rod 73 is formed with a head 77 ositioned forward, of the iin 'er piece 69 on t e lever 68 and disosed so-t at it may be conveniently reached y the thumb of the operator to effect longitudinal reciprocal movement of the push rod 73 and .thereby impart a rocking movement to the comb on its pivotal connectie s with the'supporting sleeves. Means are pr vided for yieldably opposing rockingmoveinentof the comb and -for maintaining it in a normal position on its pivotal mountmg and also for restoring the comb toy its normal (position on removing pressure from the hea `77 ofthe rod 73, which means is y in a collar 74 fixed onthe rock shaft 65; the push rod extendinm here shownlas comprising a spring 78 wound on the rod and bearing between'the upper face of the coliar 74 and a shoulder 79 on the rod. The action of the spring 78 on the rod is limited so that the comb will be normally maintained with its teeth extending longitudinally on a plane parallel or nearly parallel with the plane of the cutting edge of the cutter for which urpose a stop collar rod and adapted to abut against the under side of the sleeve 74 to limit upward movement of the rod. It

lll() is to be noted that while Figures 2, 4, 11 and 14 of the drawings show the comb as normally arranged with the teeth thereof projecting horizontally, this arrangement may be varied as occasion may require, to normally dispose the comb with the teeth extending at an incline to the horizontal. For

example the teeth may be normally disposed l in a downwardly inclined position by arranging the stop collar 80.0n the push rod at a lower oint thereon than here illustrated, where y the spring 78 acting on the push rod will dis ose the comb `in a downwardly tilted position. It will be observed that on rocking the yoke to move the comb downwardly away from the cutter a pull will be exerted on the rod 73 so that the comb will be caused to tilt downwardly as illustrated, for example in Figure 12, but when itis desired that the comb assume a horizontal position when moved downwardly relatively to the cutter or to assume an upward inclination as shown in Figure 3, the operator may depress the push rod 73 coincident with exerting an upward pull on the shank 61. It will be observed that any desired positioning of the comb may be elected by the operator during operation of the cutter or independent thereof, as occasion may require, by manipulating the shank 61,

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lever 68 and push rod 73 either separatel or collectively or in combination with eac other according to the result to be accomlished. For example, on rocking the yoke y actuating the shank 61 alone, the comb will be moved downwardly away from the cutter, as shown in Figure 12, on operatin the lever 68 alone the comb will be projecte forwardly in relation to the cutter as shown in Figure 14, Von de ressin the push rod 73 alone the comb wil be ti ted upwardly in relation to the cutter, as shown in Figure 13, by operating the shank 61 andlever 68, collectively, the comb will be moved downwardly and projected forwardly with relation to the cutter, as shown in Figure 15,

by operating the shank 61 and push rod 7 3, collectively, the comb will be moved downwardly and tilted upwardly in relation to the cutter, as shown in Figure 17, by ope/rating the lever 68 and push rod 7 3 collectively, the comb will be projected forwardly and inclined upwardly with relation to the cutter, as shown in Figure 16, and by operating the shank 61, lever 68, and push rod 78, collectively, the comb will be moved downwardly, advanced forwardly, and tilted upwai'dly in relation to the cutter, as shown in `Figure 17. By thus manipulating the comb 1n relation to the cutter, and varying the stroke of the latter, t lie operator is enabledto effect the various movements of the comb and cutter as are ordinarily employed in manually operating a pair of shears and a comb in effecting hair cutting operations.

In the embodiments of the invention illustrated in Figures 18 to 24 inclusive, vdifferent types of cutters are shown as associated with an adjustable comb, a modification of the comb mount-ing and its adjusting means is depicted, and` another relative arrangement of the cutter and handle is shown. Referring to these figures more particularly 81 indicates a plate carried by the handle A on which is supported the cutter l and the comb C. The plate is fitted with a pair of spaced guideways 82 and 83 in which are mounted for vertical movement a pair of toothed bars 84 and 85 from the lower ends of which project horizontally extending guideways 86 and 87 in which is slidably mounted a bar 88 carrying the comb C. A shaft 89 is journallcd in bearings foi-ined on the guideways 82 and 83 and extends longitudinally above the plate 8l', and fixed on the shaft are pinions 90 and 91 which mesh with the toothed bars 84 and 85. The outer. end of the shaft 89 is fitted with a handle 92 by means of which the shaft and pinons may be manually turned to effect reciprocal movement of the toothed bars whereby the comb C may be raised and lowered into various adjusted positions. Pivotally connected at 93 to the comb carin the rying bar-88 is a rack bar 94 the outer end portion of which is alidably supported in a rockable yoke 95 pivoted on a rotary shaft 96 extending alon the rear edge of the plate 81 and journalle in suitable bearings. A pinion 97 fixed on the shaft meshes with the rack bar 94 and is adapted on rotation of the shaft 96 to effect lon itudinal movement of the rack bar 94 an thereby shift the combI carrying bar 88 backward or forward ideways 86 and 87. The shaft 96 is fitte lwith a knurled wheel 98 adapted to be rotated b the thumb or finger of the operator to e ect operation of the shaft 96 and its connections. By operating the shafts 89 and 96 the comb may be moved in and out and up and down relatively to the plate 81 and the cutter carried thereon.

In Figure 18 the cutter is shown as comprising a fixed shear blade 26 and an oscillatory shear blade 27; the fixed shear blade being arranged lowermost and extending longitudinally above the comb. The blade 27 is pivoted to the fixed blade at 28 and is connected at its inner end to a link 99 connectin with a crank 100 on a shaft 101 which 1s adapted to be power driven to effect operation of the shear blade 27.

In Figure 23 the cutter is shown as comprisin a longitudinally reciprocal blade 102 forme with a series of cutting teeth 103, which blade and teeth cooperate with a fixed plate 104 having cutting teeth 105 in the manner common in hair clippers; the blade 102 being adapted to be actuated by means of a crank 106 on a drive shaft 107, the crank being connected to the blade 102 by a linli 108.

In Figure 24 the cutter is shown as including a rotary cutting element including a cylinder 109 on the periphery of which is mounted spirally arranged cutting blades 110 which are adapted on rotation of the cylinder to cooperate with a series of cutting teeth 111 extending beneath the cylinder to effect a cutting action. The cylinder is 'fitted with a shaft 112 adapted to be connected to any suit-able source of power.

In the operation of the invention, the operator holds the device by the handle and applies suitable motive power to the driving shaft to cause rotation thereof which may be effected and controlled in any desired manner, thereby causing actuation of the cutter. The comb is disposed in any desired position relative to the cutter by manipulation of the comb control mechanism and is advanced through the hair to be cut in such manner that the hair engaged by the comb will be held so as to be subjected to the action of the cutter; the comb being positioned close to the cutter when operating on short hair and being spaced farther from the cutter as the length o f the hair being worked increases andaccording to the reating lthe ength of lstroke of said shears,

sults to be accomplished, and the comb being advanced or retracted, or` positioned horizontally or at various inclinations accordin to the character of work being done.

t is to be understood that the manner of carrying the invention into effect is herein specifically set forth to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the same and is to be considered as illustrative and not in a limiting sense; and that various changes may be made in the parts and in their construction and arran ement within the meaning of the terms an scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

I claim 1. In a hair cutting mechanism, a comb, hair cutting shears associated with said comb, power operated mechanism for actusaid shears, and 'means for varying adapted to be operated at will while the shears are operating.

2. In a hair cutting mechanism, a comb, hair cuttin shears associated with said comb inclu ing a stationary shear member and an oscillatoryl shear member, means for actuating said oscillatory shear member, and means for varying-the length stroke of said shear member operable at will during movement of said shear member.

3. In a hair cutting mechanism, an oscillatory shear member, a link pivotally connected to said shear member, a rotar driving shaft, a crank on said driving s aft, a connecting rod extending between said crank and link, and means engageable with said link whereby rotation of said crank will ment of said link.

latory shear member, a link pivotally connected to said shear member, a rota ing shaft, a crank on said driving s aft, a connecting rod extending between said crank and link, means engageable with said link whereby rotation of-said crank willefect both lateral and longitudinal movement of said link, said means including a pivoted arm formed with an inclined slot, a projection on the link enga ed by said slot, and means for rocking saic arm to various positions whereby the length of the longitudinal movement of said link may be varied.

5. In a hair cutting mechanism, a power operated cutter, a support therefor, a comb carried by said support and pivoted thereon to rock verticall a manually controlled push rod for roc ing said comb, manually controlled means for moving said comb vertically relative to the support and manually controlled means for moving said comb horizontally relative to the support.

6. In a hair cutting mechanism, a hair cutter, a. supporttherefor, a comb, a back plate carrying said comb, a air of sleeves on which said back plate ispivoted for verf tical rocking movement, a verticall rocking yoke on said support on which said sleeves are pivotall mounted, a rock shaft, and connections tween said rock shaft and the sleeves whereby on turning the rock shaft said sleeves may be moved to shift said comb horizontally.

FRANK FEWINS.

`i0 .4. In a hair cutting mechanism, an oscil-` driv- 

